Heat had a shot this time

Davis cools off at bad time, misses 15-footer at buzzer

The Clippers learned the difference Monday in a 99-98 victory over Pat Riley's team at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Clippers were able to endure amid the absence of their stars, while the Heat faltered late on the day it learned its superstar would be out the remainder if the season.

Even with power forward Elton Brand yet to play this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles' tendon, and with center Chris Kaman out with back pain, the Clippers took advantage of two free throws from guard Cuttino Mobley with 2.6 seconds to play to improve to 21-41.

Such lofty won-loss heights remain out of the Heat's reach, as it lost for the 32nd time in its past 35 games to fall to 11-51.

"We had a chance to win," Riley said. "Same thing happens, night in and night out, where you get close, have the lead, and can't make one stop."

Want to talk misery? Consider this: Heat forward Ricky Davis had made 10 consecutive shots before missing a 15-foot attempt at the buzzer that rimmed out.

"I got a good look," he said. "We've always been there all year. It's just a matter of closing the game."

The pain began hours before.

Not only did the team announce at the morning shootaround that guard Dwyane Wade would take the balance of the season off for treatment of his chronically sore left knee, but the Heat found itself able to only dress the league minimum of eight players.

In addition to being without Wade, the Heat also lacked ailing power forward Udonis Haslem, point guard Marcus Banks, forward Dorell Wright, center Earl Barron and center Alonzo Mourning. The team released point guard Smush Parker before the game.

The most encouraging Heat effort came from guard Daequan Cook, who started in place of Wade at shooting guard and closed with 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting, including 5-of-10 3-point accuracy, one game removed from his recall from the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

The Heat also got a strong effort from forward Shawn Marion, who finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds.

"I thought we had it," Marion said. "We kept fighting."

Then there was Davis, who closed 10 of 14 from the field but was unable to finish off the biggest shot of his 27-point night.

Mobley led all scorers with 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting.

Before the game, Riley said his schedule for scouting college prospects now could have him on the bench for Wednesday's home game against New York but likely will leave him as a no-show Friday night against visiting Orlando, when he is scheduled to scout Kansas State forward Michael Beasley in the Big 12 tournament.

"It's a very easy process, if it's scheduled right," he said of dealing with the dual tasks in his dual role as team president. "Now that the seedings came out today, I can see exactly where a player is going to be, and what city, what time."